Proposed windfarms stir up controversy

(Editor's note: The Daily American is doing an ongoing series through Tuesday regarding the Somerset County Commissioners' decision on cell phone towers and windmills.)

Bill Lehman, a land development planner for the Somerset County Planning Commission, has a unique spin on windmill development and development in general.

"When you see the dirt flying, that's when you can expect something to happen," Lehman said.

Based on those criteria, Somerset County has but three wind farms and 34 turbines. But those numbers could increase exponentially if every proposed wind farm project becomes reality.

Two of the county's more prominent proposals are mired in controversy.

€ A Kansas developer's proposal to erect 30 turbines in Somerset and Stonycreek townships came to screeching halt when it was revealed that eight of the turbines would be located near the Somerset County Airport.

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The developer, Generation Resources Holding Co. of Leawood, Kansas, asked the Somerset County Board of Adjustment for a variance to build the windmills, but was denied. The company appealed, and the issue is currently before a common pleas court judge.

Despite the disputes, the company seems confident the project can be completed in short order.

The 45-megawatt project "is in the advanced stages of development and should be operational in the fourth quarter of 2004," the company's Web site says.

€ At King's Mountain Resort near Scullton, residents are fighting against a proposed seven-turbine, 9.9-megawatt wind farm, claiming it violates deed restrictions and could have adverse economic and environmental impacts.

Resort officials say plans are only preliminary, though the project manager recently tied the viability of the resort to the project.

At least three other projects are in various stages of development throughout Somerset County.

€ Berlin Borough officials are considering building three turbines in Brothersvalley Township to supplement the local energy grid.

The windmills would be located on Berlin Borough Municipal Authority property atop White Horse Mountain.

Borough Secretary Kerry Claycomb said officials are investigating the cost effectiveness of the plan and whether it will be feasible "within the confines of the regulations (the county) adopts."

€ A Virginia developer has submitted preliminary plans for a new wind farm in Brothersvalley and Somerset townships, according to published reports. A township official said the number of windmills could vary from 17 to 22.

The project's partners include Richard Curry of McLean, Va., who, two years ago, was identified as part of a team of developers planning 18 to 23 windmills in Somerset Township. Curry could not be reached for comment Friday.

€ The Web site for U.S. WindForce of Wexford says the company is planning a 15-megawatt wind farm in Brothersvalley Township "not far from the Garrett wind farm."

"Based on the wind data collected from this site, we are currently preparing feasibility studies for this project," the site says.

U.S. WindForce also has been linked to another potential wind farm in Larimer Township, sources said. A company official did not return a telephone call Friday seeking comment.

Lehman said another site was discussed "two or three years ago" along Route 30 in Shade and Stonycreek townships, but he is unsure of what became of the plan.

"I don't know whether that's gone any farther," he said.

Under current regulations, windmill developers are only required to visit the county planning commission if they are subdividing a parcel of land, officials said.

The county commissioners are considering a regulation that would require developers to submit land development plans before they build, effectively making the county aware of every project.

Right now, "we're not necessarily the first people they come to," planning commission Director Brad Zearfoss said.